NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams may have to Return to Earth Without a Spacesuit: Know why
In his latest update on Being Starliner, Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, said, "We're getting to a point where we should really make a call in the last week of August, if not earlier.”
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore await a decision from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on the Starliner’s return to Earth. NASA has not yet decided on several issues – the date of the Starliner astronauts’ return from space, whether to fly the Boeing spacecraft back without a crew, or whether to return the two astronauts aboard the Starliner or SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
In his latest update on Being Starliner, Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, said, “We’re getting to a point where we should really make a call in the last week of August, if not earlier.”
Bowersox said, “Everyone would love a date, but we got a few working dates, but I know we need to maintain that flexibility as of right now, Butch and Sunny are getting along well on the ISS. .. I know they are making the best use of the time, but I’m sure they are also eager for the decision like the rest of us, and when we have it, we will definitely like people like you.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore began their journey aboard Starliner on June 5 and reached the International Space Station the next day on June 6. Their return to Earth was initially planned for mid-June, but complications arose when the Starliner capsule was found to have several problems, including propulsion system failure, helium leaks, and thrusters malfunction. As a result, Starliner has now been in space for more than two months
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launch aboard the Starliner on June 5. They reached the International Space Station on June 6. Their return to Earth was planned for mid-June.However, their plans were derailed after several problems were discovered in the Starliner capsule: problems with the propulsion system, helium leaks, and thruster malfunction. Starliner has now spent more than two months in space.
The Starliner crew and ground officials are working around the clock to find the root cause of the problem and return the two NASA astronauts safely back to Earth. His priority is to get Sunita and Butch back on the Starliner. However, if Starliner is not healthy enough, NASA officials are considering the option of using the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for the return mission.
